Key mechanism for woodwind instruments



Feiwq 8 1938. F. D. PLATZ KEY MECHANISM FOR WOODWIND INSTRUMENTS FiledMay 2, 1956 *MH q 55 p ma.

Patented Feb 8, 1938 UNITED STATES v 2,lli'l,583

PATENT OFFICE KEY MECHANISM FOR WOODWIND INSTRUMENTS Indiana ApplicationMay 2, 1936, Serial No. 77,491

8 Claims.

This invention relates to woodwind musical instruments, and isillustrated as embodied in a clarinet.

The principal object of this invention is to 5 provide improved meansfor prolonging the utility of key mechanism for woodwind musicalinstruments.

Another object is to provide coacting spring and non-metallic means forthe elimination noise and the prolongation of the utility and efficiencyof certain clarinet key mechanism.

In the instrument illustrated, the invention is utilized to improve theaction of a thrust device through which one of the keys, which ispivoted on one shaft, is operated by an arm on a different shaft.

Other and more specific objects of the invention are mentioned anddescribed herein.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, wherein Figure1 illustrates a fragment of the upper branch of a seven ring Boehmclarinet in which the invention is incorporated;

Figure 2 illustrates the same clarinet section but rotated atapproximately right angles;

Figure 3 illustrates a section taken on line 33 of Figure 1; and

Figure 4 illustrates a similar iragmental section taken on line 44 ofFigure 2, much enlarged.

Similar numerals of reference indicate like parts throughout the severalviews on the drawing.

Referring to the details of the drawing the numeral I indicates onesection of tubular clarinet body which is provided with the usualreduced portion 2 for telescopically connecting it with an adjacentsection (not shown) as is well known in the art. The numeral 3 indicatesthe 40 B key which is rigidly carried upon the outer end of the tiltablekey arm 4 rigidly connected with the rock shaft 5, the opposite ends ofsaid rock shaft being journaled in the posts 6 and I which are fixed inthe body I. Normally, the B key 3, which is adapted to close the tonehole 8 when depressed, is raised by a spring (not shown) as indicated inFigures 3 and 4, as is well known in the art.

The posts 6 and I carry a second rock shaft 9 which is arranged parallelwith and above the shaft and adjacent thereto, said shaft 9 carrying alaterally projecting arm l0 rigid therewith and arranged above the B keyarm 4 and tiltable toward the latter. The shaft 5 carries also thelaterally projecting arm l2 on which the A ring- (Cl. 84-382l key ll ismounted, and upon depression of the latter the key 3 is actuated toclose the tone hole 8. jecting arm l3 on which the B fiat ring-key i4 ismounted and by which the shaft ii may be rocked, and when thus rockedthe arm Ill tilts the arm t inwardly, thereby causing the key 3 to ciosethe tone hole 8. The shaft 9 may also be rocked by the arm l5 whichcarries the bridge element i 8 when the latter is lifted by a coactinglever element (not shown) but which is mounted upon the adjacentclarinet section, as is Well known in the art.

The upper edge of the B key arm 4 carries thin strip of cork, or othersuitable non-metallic material, indicated by the numeral ii. This stripmay be adhesively secured to the key arm. According to the presentinvention, said cork strip is coacting with a flat leaf spring is whichis fastened to the under surface of the arm Ill in any suitable manner,as, for example, by the screw i9. Adjustment of the spring 18 toward thecork strip H is necessary, due to irregularities in the parts, tomaintain the contact thereof, this adjustment being eliected by theadjust ing screw 20 which is mounted in the semi spherical head 2| ofthe arm I. The adjustment of the screw 20 may be maintained by a setscrew 22 which is also mounted in the head 2!.

When the B key arm 4 is tilted by the depres sion of the arm ID to causethe closure of the tone hole 8, as described, and when both arms 4 andiii are retracted by spring action, there is a constant wiping, orfrictional, contact between the flat spring l8 and the cork strip ll,whereby noise is eliminated and wear on the cork strip is negligible,thereby prolonging the utility of the latter indefinitely.

While one illustrative embodiment has been described in detail, it isnot my intention to limit the scope of the invention to that particularembodiment, or otherwise than by the terms of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a woodwind musical instrument, a movable key arm, a second movablearm arranged adjacent said key arm and adapted to actuate the latter,and coacting metallic and non-metallic elements carried respectively bysaid arms, the metallic element being of resilient material and having apart urged yieldingly away from the arm which carries it and heldconstantly in engagement with the non-metallic element.

2. In a woodwind musical instrument, a movable key arm, a second movablearm arranged The shaft carries the laterally pro 1 adjacent said key armand adapted to actuate the latter, and coacting metallic andnon-metallic elements carried respectively by said arms, said metallicelement being a resilient leaf spring having one end secured to the armwhich carries it and having its other end yieldingly urged intoengagement with the non-metallic element.

3. In a woodwind musical instrument, a movable key arm, a second movablearm arranged adjacent said key arm and adapted to actuate the latter,and coacting metallic and non-metallic elements carried by said armsrespectively, and means for adjusting the position of the metallicelement upon the arm which carries it,

metallic element comprising a member extending along and secured at oneend to the arm which carries it and the other end of which can be movedaway from said arm by adjusting said means.

a. In a woodwind musical instrument, a tiltable key arm, a secondtiltable arm arranged above said key arm and adapted to actuate thelatter, and coacting metallic and non-metallic elements carried by saidarms, said metallic element being a resilient member extending along thearm and secured thereto at one point an in wiping engagement with thenon-metallic elc ment, the arm carrying the resilient metallic e1c--ment having an adjustable thrust member in supporting engagementtherewith.

5. In a woodwind musical instrument, a tiltable key arm, a secondtiltable arm arranged above said key arm and adapted to actuate thelatter, one of said arms having a flat metal element secured at one ofits ends to the arm and which is engageable adjacent its free end withthe other arm, and said one arm having means engaging said elementadjacent its free end and which is adjustable to vary the spacingbetween said free end and said one arm.

6. In a woodwind musical instrument, a tiltable key arm, a secondtiltable arm arranged above said key arm and adapted to actuate thelatter, and a flat resilient metallic element adjustably carried by oneof said arms and secured thereto at one end, in position to engage theother of said arms, said one arm having means for springing the free endof said element more or less toward the other arm to adjust it.

7. In a woodwind musical instrument, a tiltable key arm, a secondtiltable arm arranged above said key arm and adapted to actuate thelatter, an adjustable element carried by one of said arms, and a leafspring secured to said one arm at its end and supported by said elementand arranged to engage the other of said arms.

8. In a woodwind musical instrument, a tiltable key arm carried on arockshaft, a second tiltable arm carried on a second rockshait andarranged above said key arm, said second tiltable arm being adapted totilt said key arm, a resilient metallic element carried by said secondarm, and having one part fixedly secured thereto, and screw meanscarried by said second arm and engaging another part of said element foradjusting said metallic element.

FORD D. PLATZ.

